Soil survey area

Crawford County, Illinois

Survey Area IL033• Illinois

The short version

The most common soil here is Bluford, on about 13% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Cisne and Wynoose come next.

About 21% of the land drains well, and 60% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 70% of it.

USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 89% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 17% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 1% of it.

Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.

The ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Crawford County, Illinois, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Bluford

13% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Cisne

10% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Wynoose

8% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Ava

7% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Wakeland

6% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Entisols

Carmi

4% of the area

Sandy loam topsoil · well drained

Gritty and crumbly. Drains fast and warms early in spring.

Mollisols

Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.

The biggest mapped areas

The dominant drainage class is Somewhat poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Crawford County, Illinois. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map Unit	Acres	Drainage	Hydro Group	Dwellings	Septic
Cisne silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	32K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bluford silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	29K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Wynoose silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	20K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Wakeland silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	17K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ava silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	16K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Muren silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	12K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Stoy silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	9K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Carmi sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded	9K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Hoyleton silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes	8K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hickory-Atlas complex, 10 to 18 percent slopes, eroded	8K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Hosmer silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	8K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bluford silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Darwin silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	6K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Atlas silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, eroded	5K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Haymond silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Birds silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	5K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Hickory silt loam, 18 to 35 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Menfro silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Petrolia silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded	4K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Ava silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, eroded	4K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited

Soil Orders in This Area

The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.

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